NBC series is season's first pickup

LOS ANGELES -- NBC has a mixed track record so far this season, but one show, "Heroes," has been as close to a breakout hit as any new series on the air.

Not surprisingly, then, the network has decided to stick with the show for a full season. "Heroes" becomes the first new series on any network to get its back nine episodes picked up.

"'Heroes' has delivered exceptional ratings since its premiere, and we're even more impressed with the quality of the upcoming episodes," NBC Entertainment president Kevin Reilly says. "We have complete confidence in creator-executive producer Tim Kring. The best is yet to come over the course of a full season with this newest drama sensation."

"Heroes" follows a group of people who have extraordinary abilities, from flight to hearing other people's thoughts. The show, which premiered Sept. 25, has hinted that they'll play a role in saving the world, though it's not clear how just yet.

Through its first two airings, the series has averaged 13.5 million viewers and a very solid 5.7 rating among adults 18-49. The 18-49 number is the best in its 9 p.m. Monday timeslot and tied with ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" for the best performance of any new show this season. "Heroes" has also been more of a self-starter, building substantially on its lead-in ("Deal or No Deal") each week, whereas "Brothers & Sisters" has the advantage of airing after "Desperate Housewives."

The cast includes Greg Grunberg ("Alias"), Sendhil Ramamurthy, Ali Larter ("Final Destination"), Masi Oka ("Scrubs"), Hayden Panettiere ("Ice Princess"), Milo Ventimiglia ("Gilmore Girls") and Adrian Pasdar ("Judging Amy").

"Heroes" has been easily the brightest spot among NBC's new shows thus far. Aaron Sorkin's "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" had brought in only so-so ratings following "Heroes" on Mondays, and the net's other two dramas, "Kidnapped" and "Friday Night Lights," are struggling. Two new comedies, "30 Rock" and "Twenty Good Years," debut next week.